Psychosocial aspects of work and health in the North Sea oil and gas industry

Transcription

1 Psychosocial aspects of work and health in the North Sea oil and gas industry Summaries of reports published, Prepared by: Department of Experimental Psychology University of Oxford for the Health and Safety Executive ONTRAT RESEARH REPORT 2001

2 Psychosocial aspects of work and health in the North Sea oil and gas industry Summaries of reports published Katharine R Parkes MA MSc PhD Department of Experimental Psychology University of Oxford South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3UD This document brings together summaries and key findings from a series of nine studies carried out by the University of Oxford with funding from the HSE Offshore Safety Division, and published during the years under the general title Psychosocial aspects of work and health in the North Sea oil and gas industry. The work covers a range of topics relating to offshore work characteristics, mental and physical health among offshore personnel, and safety attitudes and perceptions (including an analysis of accident/injury statistics); the role of demographic factors, individual differences, and environmental characteristics in influencing work/health relationships is also considered. Offshore shift schedules, and their impact on performance, health, and safety, is a major issue cutting across several of the studies summarised. A bibliography of offshore research, including details of all the reports summarised, is also provided. This report, and the work it describes, was funded by the Health and Safety Executive. Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the author(s) alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy. HSE BOOKS

3 rown copyright 2001 Applications for reproduction should be made in writing to: opyright Unit, Her Majesty s Stationery Office, St. lements House, 2-16 olegate, Norwich NR3 1BQ First published 2001 ISBN All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. ii

4 ONTENTS 1. INTRODUTION 1 2. SUMMARIES OF RESEARH REPORTS Part 1. A review of the literature (Parkes, 1996) Part II. A five-year follow-up study ( ) of offshore and onshore personnel (Parkes & Razavi, 1996) Part III. Sleep, mood, and performance in relation to offshore shift schedules (Parkes, lark, & Payne-ook, 1997) Part IV. The offshore environment in the mid-1990's: A survey of psychosocial factors (Parkes & lark, 1997) Part V. Offshore work/leave schedules: Data analyses and review 17 (Parkes & lark, 1997) 2.6 Injuries on offshore oil and gas installations: An analysis of temporal and occupational factors (Parkes & Swash, 2000) Offshore sickbay consultations in relation to age, job factors, and self-reported health (Parkes & Swash, 2000) Work, health, and safety in the UK oil and gas industry: A survey of onshore sites and comparison with offshore installations (Parkes & Byron, 2001) Health, safety and the changing offshore work environment: A preview of longitudinal findings, (Parkes & arnell) GENERAL ONLUSIONS REFERENES 40 iii

5 FOREWORD The North Sea work environment has undergone considerable change in recent years, and the effects of organizational restructuring, cost reduction, and technological innovation will continue to impact on the oil and gas industry in the future. In these changing circumstances, the health, safety, and productivity of the North Sea workforce is an issue of concern not only to personnel working offshore, but also to onshore management teams and the industry as a whole. In this context, there is a need for up-to-date information about work and health in the offshore environment. The research summarised in this document was carried out by Oxford University between 1995 and 2000 with funding from the Health and Safety Executive, Offshore Safety Division, under the general title Psychosocial aspects of work and health in the North Sea oil and gas industry. The work sought to contribute to several research areas of topical importance in the offshore oil and gas industry. The main survey data collection took place during , with additional studies carried out subsequently. This summary document brings together summaries and key findings from a total of eight completed studies (each of which have been fully described in separate reports published by HSE Books). In addition, a preview of results from the five-year offshore follow-up study undertaken in 2000 is presented. Full references to the reports, and a bibliography of other relevant research, are also included. The research described would not have been possible without the high degree of co-operation received from the operating companies concerned, and the encouragement of the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association. In providing an up-to-date account of work, health, and safety among offshore personnel, it is hoped that the research will be of interest not only to the participating companies but also to the oil and gas industry more generally, and will serve to promote greater awareness of the importance of human factors research at a time of rapid change in the industry as a whole. iv

6 1. INTRODUTION Offshore oil and gas production, and the exploration and drilling operations that support it, play a significant role in the UK economy, and employ a substantial workforce. Although numbers fluctuate from year to year, over recent years the North Sea workforce has averaged more than 30,000 personnel. The nature of the offshore environment is such that the personnel concerned are exposed to work demands and constraints over and above those experienced in comparable jobs onshore. The psychosocial stressors inherent in offshore employment include the remote and isolated location of many North Sea installations; adverse weather conditions and physical environment; confined work and living conditions; lack of privacy; the perceived hazards of offshore work and the helicopter travel that it necessitates; demanding shift patterns and, in some cases, monotonous or repetitive work; separation from family and local community; and possible family problems arising from intermittent absence from home. In view of the demanding lifestyle of offshore employees, it is not surprising that the offshore work environment, and the combination of physical and psychosocial stressors that it imposes, has been the subject of considerable research interest over the past two decades. Although the study carried out by Hellesøy (1985) in the Norwegian Statfjord Field is probably the most wide-ranging of the earlier research into North Sea work conditions, other investigators from both medical and psychological backgrounds have also contributed to this field of research. Most of these studies have focused on specific aspects of the offshore environment. For instance, Lauridsen et al. (1991) reported a large-scale survey of offshore shift patterns and their health implications; Gann et al. (1990) focused on anxiety and depression among onshore and offshore employees of a multi-national oil company; Horsley and MacKenzie (1996) surveyed lifestyle and health behaviours; and Iversen (1991) examined predictors of sickness absence among offshore personnel. Other studies have highlighted safety issues; for instance, Rundmo (1992) and Flin et al. (1995) assessed perceived risk among North Sea personnel, while Sutherland and ooper (1991) investigated the role of personality factors in relation to self-reported accident involvement in an offshore sample. An alternative research approach is to focus on particular occupational groups within the offshore workforce. Thus, Flin and Slaven (1992) examined the background and experience of offshore installation managers; Parkes (1992, 1993) compared onshore and offshore production personnel on a range of psychosocial factors; and Milcarek (1993) reported a longitudinal analysis of job tenure and turnover among offshore catering personnel. These studies, and other literature relating to health and safety among offshore personnel, have recently been reviewed by Parkes (1996), and are therefore not discussed in detail here. Nonetheless, it is clear that a considerable amount of research has already been carried out into the work conditions and wellbeing of offshore personnel, and it is therefore important to clarify, in the light of this previous work, the particular contribution that the present study seeks to make. In part, the rationale for the present series of studies lies in the nature and extent of changes that have taken place in the North Sea oil and gas industry in recent years. Few of the studies cited above are based on data collected sufficiently recently to reflect these changes. In particular, the ullen report (ullen, 1990) has led to significant improvements in offshore safety regimes during recent years, involving modifications to structures, procedures, and regulations, and a formal requirement for operating companies to produce detailed safety cases. 1

7 Other recent and significant changes in the North Sea work environment are also relevant. Thus, fluctuations in oil prices, and falling production levels in older oil and gas fields, have necessitated the progressive introduction of cost-reduction measures, including widespread down-manning (particularly on older platforms) and associated job insecurity during the past decade. orrespondingly greater efficiency and flexibility, in terms of the amount and variety of work carried out, have been demanded of the remaining workforce; on some installations, also, the duration of offshore tours has been extended in a further attempt to reduce costs. Moreover, installations built and commissioned over the past few years tend to be relatively small, and to operate with higher levels of automation and fewer personnel than those of earlier generations, a trend likely to continue in the development of new structures. In the light of these changes, earlier studies (particularly those based on data collected in the 1980's and early 1990's) do not adequately reflect the current offshore work environment. Furthermore, the series of studies summarised in this document, seek to provide both a wide-ranging overview of psychosocial factors, health and safety in the North Sea work environment and more detailed consideration of topics (including shift rotation schedules and work/leave patterns) of more specific relevance. Thus, the rationale for the programme of work described here lies in the need for up-to-date information about offshore work conditions, and their health and safety implications. The studies summarised in this document were designed to meet this need, and to address some of the methodological limitations of earlier work. The work outlined includes: A general review of psychosocial aspects of work and health in the North Sea oil and gas industry covering work published up to A large-scale survey (carried out in ) of psychosocial aspects of the offshore work environment in relation to a range of health and safety outcomes. A detailed investigation of the effects of different patterns of shift rotation (comparing those which do, or do not, impose a mid-tour day/night shift change) on sleep, mood and performance measured repeatedly across the two-week offshore work cycle. A review of relevant literature and data which address the issue of 3-3 working (as compared with the more usual 2-2 work/leave cycles), with particular reference to the attitudes of offshore personnel and their spouses to the longer work/leave cycle. Analyses based on archival data relating to offshore accidents and injuries, focussing on the effects of length of tour and hours into shift in relation to accident severity. An analysis of the frequency and nature of sickbay consultations in relation to personal and job-related factors, including age, job type, job level and shift work. Drawing on findings from a parallel survey of onshore oil and gas processing sites, a comparison of offshore and onshore environments, and their impact on health and safety. A pre-view of findings from a five-years follow-up study of the survey participants. A final section reviews some central issues arising from the programme of work as a whole, and notes areas in which further research is needed. 2

8 2. REPORT SUMMARIES Part I. A review of the literature K. R. Parkes Summary This report reviews the literature on psychosocial factors and health (particularly psychological health) among offshore personnel. The material (which covers publications that appeared prior to 1996) is divided into five main sections: general patterns of health and illness on offshore installations as reflected in records of medical evacuations, sickbay visits, and sickness absence; psychosomatic complaints and minor health impairment; health problems associated with shift rotation; mental health, stress and psychosocial factors; and health behaviours and lifestyle. The material reviewed is based largely on English-language documents originating in the United Kingdom or Norway; sources include articles from the psychological and medical literature, research reports, and conference papers. The review does not seek to cover specialist medical topics; rather, it seeks to integrate the available literature from a health psychology perspective. A final section highlights problems of interpreting research findings, and identifies some work conditions and health issues of current concern to the North Sea workforce Key findings onsiderable research effort has been devoted to understanding the physical and psychosocial environment of North Sea oil and gas installations, and its implications for job satisfaction and health. A number of important issues are highlighted in this review, although the available literature ( ) does not allow causal links between the work environment and health to be clearly identified. Age. Figure 1 (taken from the survey report) shows the current marked predominance of oil industry personnel in the years age range, and the correspondingly small proportion of personnel under 25 years. The increasing age profile of offshore workers is of concern to the industry, but research reveals both positive and negative findings. Thus, older personnel tend to report fewer health problems (although more sleep disturbance), and to make fewer visits the sickbay. However, they are more likely to require medical evacuation because of illness (but not accidents) than their younger counterparts. Anxiety. Offshore personnel (particularly those in the older age ranges) tend to report higher levels of generalised anxiety symptoms than comparable employees onshore. The favourable personality traits of offshore personnel, and the high health standards demanded, suggest that environmental factors may underlie the anxiety observed. Health risk. Among offshore personnel, body mass index (a measure of weight relative to height) has been found to be higher than among comparable onshore employees. Moreover, offshore diets tend to be high in fat and protein, and low in carbohydrates. Rates of smoking also tend to be high. These factors are associated with cardiovascular risk. To reduce these problems, health promotion and other lifestyle programs, have been introduced by some offshore companies. Environment. In the offshore environment, installation characteristics (e.g. age, location, size and type), physical environment (e.g. noise, ventilation, lighting) and psychosocial factors (e.g. time pressures, workload, job insecurity, and perceived risk) have all been linked to levels of psychological well-being, including job satisfaction among offshore personnel, unfavourable conditions being associated with lower levels of well-being. 3

9 350 ount Age group (years) Figure 1.1 Age distribution of offshore personnel in relation to employing company Production operator Drilling operator ontractors This graph shows the age distribution of personnel (N=1462) who participated in the survey study reported in Part IV. It reflects the age profile in the offshore oil industry as a whole, and illustrates the marked predominance of personnel in the years age range, particularly among those employed by production operator companies. Drilling operator personnel and those employed by contracting companies have a marginally younger age profile but the proportion of employees age 24 years or less is very small in the workforce as a whole. Shift work. Shift rotation patterns and work/leave schedules are major factors in the organization of offshore work. In particular, the abrupt circadian changes inherent in day/night shift rotation offshore have adverse implications for sleep, performance and health. In addition, evidence suggests that there may be a long-term cumulative impact of shift work exposure on health impairment. Much of the research cited in the review dates from earlier years of North Sea development when the problems facing the industry were different from those of present concern. The studies summarised in the following sections formed a programme of work designed to meet the need for up-to-date information about the physical and psychosocial environment offshore, and its impact on the health and safety of offshore personnel. 4

10 Part II. A five-year follow-up study ( ) of offshore and onshore personnel K. R.. Parkes and T. D. B. Razavi, Summary Production operators (N=172) working for a major oil and gas company, either onshore (n=88) or offshore (n=84), who participated in a study of day/night shift work carried out in 1990, were followed up in Of the original participants, 104 personnel (53 and 51, from the onshore and offshore groups respectively) were successfully traced. Five sub-groups were identified on the basis of employment situation in 1995 as compared with 1990; no job change (n=49); remained with same company; promoted (n=29); moved to a different company (n=13); unemployed (n=4); and retired (n=9). Only a small number of personnel had moved from onshore to offshore work (n=3) or vice versa (n=6). The main focus of the study was on changes in job satisfaction and health in relation to changes in employment situation between 1990 and Overall, a pattern of unfavourable change was found, particularly among onshore personnel. Thus, perceived job demand and anxiety increased, and morale decreased, over the five-year period; these changes were found both onshore and offshore, but were more marked onshore. Increased anxiety was partly accounted for by increases in perceived demand. Those who remained in the same job tended to show more unfavourable change than those who moved to new jobs. This pattern of results was consistent with the general re-structuring that took place in the decades from the mid-1980's, giving rise to concerns about job security and associated reduction in morale among the personnel concerned. The finding that onshore personnel experienced greater negative change than those offshore between 1990 and 1995 may have been due to the fact that structural changes occurred in the offshore environment several years earlier than corresponding changes onshore. Other analyses examined the role of age, duration of shiftwork experience and duration of offshore experience in relation to health measures in light of the suggestion that shiftwork may have cumulative adverse effects on health. Sickness absence rates were also examined, and reported incidence of health complaints compared with normative data. Whilst the overall picture suggests some cause for concern, further longitudinal studies based on larger and more heterogeneous samples are required to enhance our understanding of the impact of changes in work conditions (particularly those associated with organizational restructuring and cost reduction measures) on the health of offshore personnel. This small-scale study served as a pilot for more extensive longitudinal research in which participants in the survey were followed up in Key findings Mental health. Anxiety among both offshore and onshore personnel increased from 1990 to This increase occurred across all employment situations, except among those who had retired (Figure 2.1). There was also a significant deterioration in morale from 1990 to 1995; only personnel who moved to a new employer showed improved morale. Adverse changes in both anxiety and morale were particularly marked among those who became unemployed. 5

11 Figure 2.1 Anxiety in 1990 and1995 in relation to 1995 employment situation Anxiety among both offshore and onshore personnel increased significantly from 1990 to This increase applied to all types of employment change, except the retired group. Onshore/offshore differences. Increase in anxiety over the five-year follow-up period was greater among onshore than offshore personnel. The onshore group also showed a more marked increase in perceived job demand. Approximately 30% of the increase in anxiety in both groups was accounted for by the perceived increase in job demand. As compared with offshore personnel, the onshore group showed a greater decrease in morale. Job change. In both the onshore and offshore groups, promotion or move to a new employer was associated with increases in job discretion and job satisfaction; favourable changes in these measures did not occur among those remaining in the same job. However, job change did not mitigate the increase in anxiety found in all groups remaining in employment in 1995 (Figure 2.1). Minor health problems. Both onshore and offshore, minor health complaints, particularly sleep complaints, were frequently reported. Headaches were more frequent onshore than offshore (57% vs 34%), but other health problems (sleep, gastric and musculo-skeletal disorers) were more frequent in the offshore group. Among those remaining employed, there was a general tendency for increases in reported health problems between 1990 and 1995; however, those no longer working showed a decrease in health problems. Shift work. Greater experience of shiftwork was associated with a significant deterioration in selfreported health. Thus, longer duration of shift work exposure was associated with poorer health ratings in 1995; this relationship was significant over and above the effects of 1990 health status, age, and years offshore. 6

12 Part III. Sleep, mood, and performance in relation to offshore shift rotation schedules K. R. Parkes, M. J. lark and E. Payne-ook Summary Offshore shift work poses major difficulties of scheduling day and night shifts, and the pattern of rotation between them. The aim of this study was to compare fixed-shift and rollover schedules in terms of sleep, mood, and cognitive performance. Two rollover patterns, 7 night /7 days (7N+7D) and 7 days/ 7nights (7D+7N), and one fixed-shift pattern in which 14 day shifts and 14 night shifts were worked on alternate tours (14D/14N), were included in the study. Data were collected on four North Sea platforms, one working the 7D+7N pattern, one working the 7N+7D pattern, and two working the 14D/14N pattern. For analysis purposes, the two-week work cycle was divided into three test phases, each covering three consecutive shifts. Prior to the first two phases, practice shifts (during which data were collected but not analysed) were scheduled, and phases were separated by one or two rest shifts (during which no data were collected). Assessments were carried out at the start, middle, and end of each test shift. Individual hand-held computers, programmed to present a sequence of self-report items (measures of sleep, subjective alertness, and workload) and cognitive performance tests (including reaction time) were used for data collection. A total of 95 personnel, mostly working in production areas, took part. Rollover patterns were compared with fixed-shift schedules; the 14D vs.7d+7n and 14N vs. 7N+7D analyses were carried out separately, controlling for initial differences. The 14D group showed relatively stable responses throughout the two week work cycle, and adaptation to night work was evident in the 14N group during the second week offshore. However, rollover patterns gave rise to significant impairments as compared with the corresponding fixed-shift schedules. For the 7N+7D group, the initial adjustment to night shifts was followed by a further 12-hour circadian change at the start of the second week; consequently, the operators concerned showed impaired alertness and performance from the start of the night shift week through to the end of the second week. The disruptive effects of rollover were also evident in the 7D+7N group relative to the 14D group; although normal day-shift response patterns were evident in the first week, almost all measures showed significant decrements following the mid-cycle shift change. Figures show illustrative results for patterns of sleep hours, subjective alertness and reaction time across the three work phases for different shift sequences. Table 3.1 shows estimated sleep deficits over the two-week tour for rollover and fixed-shift schedules, again demonstrating more favourable findings for the 14D/14N pattern. Overall, the findings for sleep, mood, and performance revealed that the 14D/14N rotation pattern, which greatly reduces the frequency of circadian changes, had many advantages over rollover patterns. Other factors are also relevant. Thus, survey data from 260 offshore personnel indicated a widespread preference for the 7N+7D rollover pattern, which allows personnel to adjust to a normal sleep/wake cycle before going on leave. Operational constraints, such as helicopter schedules and crew change arrangements, must also be taken into account. Thus, this study highlights the conflicting factors that underlie decisions about shift rotation schedules. There are no simple answers to these problems. The advantages and disadvantages of the rotation patterns studied are summarised in the following tables to assist managers and offshore personnel in identifying shift patterns that optimise the safety, efficiency, and well-being of those concerned, and that are appropriate to the particular circumstances in which the company operates. Within this framework, it is suggested that a strong case can be made for implementing fixed-shift rotation patterns that eliminate mid-cycle rollovers, and minimise the frequency of circadian changes to which personnel are exposed. This recommendation is strengthened by increasing evidence suggesting that long-term adverse health effects of day/night shift work (including cardiovascular disease) are linked to circadian disruption. 7

13 Figure 3.1 Sleep duration in relation to shift rotation: Days vs. Days/nights Figure 3.2 Alertness across phases: Nights vs. nights/days 8

14 Figure 3.3 Reaction time across phases: Days vs. days/nights Table 3.1 Estimated sleep deficits in relation to shift rotation patterns Estimated sleep deficits Shift rotation pattern Day shifts (hrs. per day) Night shifts (hrs. per day) Rollover (total hours) Estimated total sleep deficit over two-week tour * 7N+7D 7D+7N D 14N Average 14D/14N 14.5 The data shown in the final column represent the total sleep deficit (in hours) over the two-week offshore duty period relative to sleep during shore leave 9

15 2.3.2 Key findings Reflecting the fact that none of the three day/night rotation patterns currently in use on offshore production installations provides an ideal solution to the problem of shift scheduling, the main findings of this study are set out in the form of tables documenting the advantages and disadvantages of each of the patterns studied. Rollover schedule: 7N+7D ADVANTAGES Widely preferred by offshore personnel. 87% of those working the 7N+7D pattern, and 73% of the survey sample analysed, opted for this schedule. Because personnel adjust to and from night-shift work while offshore, they are not exposed to the need for circadian change during the first few days of shore leave. Avoids the need for day-time travel while night-time adjusted. Ease of scheduling as everyone works the same shift sequence on each tour. Only one shift team leaves each week; therefore, there is always one team to cover between departure of one crew, and arrival of the new crew. DISADVANTAGES Gives rise to the largest sleep deficit over the two-week offshore work period. Day-shift levels of sleep, alertness, and performance are not experienced during either week of the offshore work cycle; the first week is affected by adjustment to night work, and the second week by having to re-adjust from nights to days. As adjustment to a 12- hour circadian change takes more than a week (Monk & Tepas, 1985), crews working this pattern tend to show impaired alertness and performance throughout the entire work cycle. Marked deterioration in alertness and performance from start to end of shifts in both the night-shift and the day-shift weeks. Rollover schedules involve twice as many 12-hour circadian changes annually as fixedshift schedules, with possible long-term consequences for health and sleep patterns. Offshore shift change schedules are necessarily of the backward rotation type, involving short rest periods (usually 5-8 hours) during the rollover, which do not allow breaks of the duration (11 hours) currently specified in EU onshore recommendations. Each team rotates shifts with two other teams, one in the first week and one in the second week, with possible disruption to communication and co-ordination between day and night crews. 10

16 Rollover schedule: 7D+7N ADVANTAGES First week of day shifts requires no circadian adaptation. Therefore, personnel have time to re-adapt to the offshore work environment before they have to adjust to night work. Performance, alertness and sleep during the first offshore week is not impaired by a prior week of night work. Ease of scheduling as everyone works the same shift sequence on each tour. Only one shift team leaves each week; therefore, there is always one crew to cover between departure of one crew, and arrival of the new crew. DISADVANTAGES Strongly disliked. Only 16% of those working the 7D+7N pattern indicated that it was their preferred pattern, and no one working other rotation systems opted for it. It takes longer to recover from night shifts than from day shifts at the start of shore leave. The 7D+7N pattern requires personnel to re-adjust to a normal sleep/wake cycle during the first few days of leave after every offshore tour. Impaired alertness and performance during shifts immediately following the rollover. Marked performance decrements at the end of these shifts. Tends to produce an uneven distribution of work across the two-week offshore tour to allow lower workload during the rollover phase. Rollover schedules involve twice as many 12-hour circadian changes annually as fixed-shift schedules, with possible long-term consequences for health and sleep patterns. Offshore shift change schedules are necessarily of the backward rotation type, involving short rest periods (usually 5-8 hours) during the rollover which do not allow breaks of the duration (11 hours) currently specified in EU onshore recommendations. Each team rotates shifts with two other teams, one in the first week and one in the second week, thereby potentially disrupting co-ordination and communication between shift teams. 11

17 14D/14N Fixed-shift schedule ADVANTAGES Lowest overall sleep deficit for both day and night shifts Greater stability of subjective alertness and performance over the two-week cycle. In particular, adjustment to night-shift work is not disrupted by the need for further circadian adaptation resulting from a mid-cycle shift change. Little or no significant deterioration in alertness or reaction time over the course of individual shifts, either during days or, after initial adaptation, during nights. Of the shift patterns studied, the 14D/14N pattern requires the smallest number of 12-hour circadian changes in the course of a year (5-6 in the days-to-nights direction, depending on the work/leave pattern operated, and a similar number to return to a normal cycle). Alternate offshore tours involve only day shifts, with no major circadian adjustment required. The 14D/14N pattern allows the same night and day shift teams to work together through the entire two-week period, thus enhancing handover and co-ordination between the night and day crews. The 14D/14N pattern was advocated by Lauridsen et al. (1991) on the basis of an extensive survey of sleep and health among offshore shift workers. Among employees (mainly contractor personnel) working a regular 2-2 work/leave schedule, scores on the satisfaction with shift rotation survey item were comparable to those for the 7N+7D pattern, and significantly higher than those for the 7D+7N pattern. DISADVANTAGES Operators dislike going on leave after two weeks of night shifts, because their first few days of leave are disrupted by the need to re-adjust to a normal sleep/wake cycle. A further problem is the potential danger of driving home the day after completing two weeks of night shifts. Fewer than half the operators (42%) working the 14D/14N schedule preferred it; the remainder opted for the 7N+7D schedule. omplicates the planning of work rotas as it is necessary to schedule alternating night-work and day-work tours, rather than assume that the same rollover sequence will apply to everyone concerned on each trip. To ensure that essential jobs are covered at all times, the 14D/14N schedule requires two helicopter flights on same day for crew-change purposes so that the incoming day-shift team arrives before the departing team leave. Alternatively, successive 12

18 2.4.1 Summary Part IV. The offshore environment in the mid-1990s: A survey of psychosocial factors K. R. Parkes and M. J. lark This report presents findings from the analysis of survey data obtained from 1462 male offshore personnel employed on 11 production platforms and 6 drilling rigs operating in the UK sector of the North Sea. All the main occupational groups working offshore took part; the overall response rate was 83%. A wide range of psychosocial information was collected; the subjective data analysed included measures of exposure to physical environment stressors, perceived job characteristics, total working hours per offshore week, perceptions of safety measures and procedures, measures of psychological well-being, and minor health problems. These measures were examined in relation to company groups, installations within groups, job types, and employer groups (i.e. operator personnel vs contractors); individual differences in age and in negative affectivity were taken into account in these analyses. In addition, installation characteristics, such as size and age, were also examined as predictors of psychosocial variables. The results demonstrated that companies, installations and job types were all significant predictor variables, although the precise pattern of results varied for different outcome measures. Personnel in the eight different job types differed on almost every measure; in particular, profiles of perceived job characteristics highlighted differences between jobs which were reflected in measures of job satisfaction, psychological well-being, and physical health. Satisfaction with safety measures and procedures was generally high, as were the ratings of safety associated with specific work activities. Personnel directly involved in any particular activity rated it as more safe than those not involved; also, management personnel gave higher overall ratings than those in other job types. With few exceptions, almost everyone in the sample considered the installation on which they worked to be average or above-average in safety. Analysis of the data relating to minor health problems revealed specific patterns whereby day/night shift rotation was associated with sleep disturbance and gastric problems, while job types differed in the incidence of musculo-skeletal problems and headaches. Heavy smokers also reported a relatively high incidence of health problems, independently of other factors. The overall levels of stress symptoms in the present sample were significantly lower than those of comparable employees in manufacturing industry onshore, but anxiety levels were significantly higher than those observed in an offshore sample in These and other aspects of the present study are discussed in relation to previous research into psychosocial aspects of the offshore environment, and in the light of more recent developments in North Sea work conditions. Methodological strengths and limitations of the present study are also considered Key findings Physical environment. Job types predicted perceived exposure to physical stressors; drilling and construction personnel reported the highest levels of exposure, while the lowest levels were reported by catering and office-based personnel. ompany groups also differed in overall exposure levels, and personnel on older production platforms reported higher levels than those on more recently constructed installations. 13

19 Job characteristics. Job type was a significant predictors of each of the job characteristics measures (workload, autonomy, skill/variety, and clarity), but the pattern of scores was different for each measure (see Figure 4.1). Additional roles (e.g. fire team responsibilities) were also associated with higher perceived workload, and workload on production platforms was perceived to be higher than that on drilling rigs Mean score Maintenance atering Management onstruction Technical Production Admin/other Drilling Job type Figure 4.1 Job characteristics profiles across job types Workload Skill/variety Autonomy larity This diagram shows the profiles for four job characteristics across the different job types identified. Scores on each characteristic ran from 0 to 4, higher scores representing a higher level of the attribute concerned. Management personnel reported the highest levels of workload, but catering staff and production operators also showed high levels. The highest levels of skill/variety were found in management roles, while catering and, to a lesser extent, production jobs, showed relatively low levels. Autonomy was high for both management and administration jobs, and lowest for those in production and drilling. Job clarity showed less variation across jobs, although tended to be higher in predominantly manual occupations. The overall picture was of more favourable job profiles among management personnel, for whom the adverse effects of high workload were offset by the greater skill, variety, and control afforded by the work. 14

20 Satisfaction with job prospects. Satisfaction with job security, promotion opportunities, and future career prospects (mean score on a 1 to 5 scale) was dependent on job type, but the pattern of results differed across employing companies. Age was also significant; both younger and older personnel were more satisfied with job prospects than those in the middle age ranges, particularly years (see Figure 4.2). Participants on larger and/or newer platforms perceived their future job prospects more favourably than other personnel. Figure 4.2 Satisfaction with job prospects in relation to age Job satisfaction. Management personnel reported higher job satisfaction than other job types, and production and catering personnel reported lower levels. Age was also a significant predictor of job satisfaction, higher age being associated with greater job satisfaction. Psychological well-being. 15% of participants showed high levels of stress symptoms; this level was comparable to that reported for other offshore samples. Anxiety varied with job type; catering, production, management and drilling personnel tended to have higher scores than other groups. Differences in job characteristics partially explained these different levels of anxiety. Physical health. Specific health problems were associated with particular work characteristics. Thus, shiftwork predicted gastric problems and sleep disturbance, higher rates being observed among day/night shift workers than among day-shift workers. Job type predicted musculo-skeletal problems and headaches, drilling personnel reporting high incidences of both these health complaints. Health behaviours. Smoking was more frequent among the personnel in this sample than among comparable groups onshore; 14% of the present sample were moderate smokers, and 22% smoked heavily. Drilling rig and catering personnel had high rates of smoking relative to other groups; heavy smoking was linked to several adverse health outcomes, including gastric problems. Body mass index (a measure of weight relative to height) was above average in this sample (mean 25.6 kg/m 2 ), but was lower among drilling and catering personnel as compared with management personnel; as in the general population, age was positively predictive of body mass index. 15

21 Safety. Almost all personnel considered their installations to be average or above-average in safety compared with other North Sea installations. However, newer and/or larger platforms tended to be rated more favourably than older and/or smaller platforms, and more personnel on platforms gave negative ratings (see Figure 4.3). There were also some differences between individuals in safety perceptions: managers perceived the safety of work activities more favourably than other job groups, and accommodation and office-based personnel were more satisfied with safety measures and procedures. Personnel who were directly involved in a particular work activity gave higher safety ratings for that activity. Figure 4.3 Overall safety perceptions in relation to installation type Production platforms and drilling rigs were broadly similar in terms of overall safety perceptions, which were generally positive. In general, ratings of below average were rare, particularly among drilling rig personnel. One particular installation accounted for most of the unfavourable ratings among production platform personnel. 16

22 Part V. Offshore work/leave schedules: Data analyses and review K. R. Parkes and M. J. lark Summary In recent years, offshore work/leave patterns have become a topic of increasing importance in the North Sea oil and gas industry as companies have focused on the dual aims of enhancing safety and reducing costs. In this context, it has been suggested that both purposes could be served if a 3-3 work/leave pattern (i.e. three weeks offshore alternating with three weeks shore leave) were operated on offshore installations in place of the more usual 2-2 pattern (i.e. two weeks offshore alternating with two weeks shore leave). Although many of the personnel concerned were dismayed at the possibility of three consecutive weeks offshore, there is little direct evidence about the effects of longer work/leave cycles on the performance, health and psychological well-being of offshore personnel and their families. Reflecting the large gaps in current knowledge, the present report does not seek to make recommendations about optimum work/leave patterns; rather, it is intended to set out what is currently known, and to suggest areas on which future research could usefully focus. Little of the information currently available about the psychosocial environment offshore, and the mental and physical health of offshore employees, relates to personnel working three-week tours. The work described in this report draws on a variety of sources and data to examine the psychosocial implications of three-week offshore tours as compared with the more usual two-week tour duration. The information presented includes a summary of relevant literature, a comparison of different work/leave patterns in terms of the attitudes and preferences of offshore personnel, a pilot study of mood and sleep patterns among personnel working either a two-week or a three-week tour at the time of data collection, and material from interviews with wives of offshore personnel, focussing on family issues associated with offshore employment, including work/leave cycles. Some general points about the implementation of 3-3 work patterns, and suggestions for a more extensive study of the psychosocial and health implications of such schedules are noted in the conclusions Key findings Literature review. Almost all existing literature on health and psychosocial factors among North Sea personnel relates to a 2-2 work schedule. Other than a Soviet study which compared one-week and two-week offshore cycles (Alekperov et al. 1988), the issue of work/leave schedules does not appear to have been addressed. However, in the context of the 84 hours (and often longer) worked per week by offshore personnel, it is relevant that long work weeks onshore (60 hours work in seven days) have been found to give rise to substantially impaired performance and mood relative to the normal 40-hour week (Proctor et al.,1996). Moreover, extending offshore tours from two weeks to three weeks might intensify the domestic and family problems of intermittent husband absence (Taylor et al. 1985). Satisfaction with work/leave patterns. Among personnel working equal time schedules (N=1130), those working three-week offshore tours were significantly less satisfied with their work/leave pattern than those working two-week tours. A conspicuous feature of the results was the low level of satisfaction with 3-3 schedules reported by personnel on production platforms (see Figure 5.1). However, a small proportion of personnel (mostly on drilling rigs) reported that they preferred the longer work/leave cycle. 17

23 Attitudes to 3-3 working. An anticipated change from the existing 2-2 schedules to schedules involving three consecutive weeks offshore was perceived very negatively by the personnel concerned (n=113). The longer work/leave cycle was viewed particularly unfavourably by those with children living at home as compared with those without children, but attitudes also depended on the existing schedule at the time the proposed change to 3-3 working was announced. Effects of 3-3 schedules on mood and sleep. A pilot study in which day-shift personnel (n=55) completed daily diaries recording sleep and mood provided no clear evidence of adverse effects on these measures of a third week offshore, although there was a trend towards reduced alertness across the three successive weeks (see Figure 5.2). Responses of spouses to 3-3 working. The spouses interviewed (n=18) expressed considerable unease about three-week work patterns, although this topic was only one of a number of issues of concern to them. Disruption of family life, delays in making decisions while the offshore worker was away, and unease about having to cope alone for three weeks, were typical concerns. The possibility of taking full two-week holidays within a three-week leave period was seen as the only favourable feature of the longer work/leave schedules. Figure 5.1 Satisfaction with 2-2 and 3-3 work/leave schedules on drilling rigs and production platforms 18

24 Figure 5.2 Alertness: The top diagram shows alertness during the first and second weeks for the 2-2 work leave schedule; the lower diagram shows the corresponding data for three successive weeks of the 3-3 schedule. The three points plotted for each shift represent the start, middle, and end of shift respectively. Each of the five groups taking part contributed data for a single week. 19

25 2.6.1 Summary Injuries on offshore oil and gas installations: An analysis of temporal and occupational factors K. R. Parkes and S. Swash This report examined injuries occurring on offshore oil and gas installations in relation to temporal and occupational factors. Three databases were analysed, one from the HSE Offshore Safety Division, and two from large multi-national oil and gas companies. The data provided information about the nature and severity of injuries incurred by offshore personnel in the UK sector of the North Sea, together with details of temporal aspects of the accident (e.g. clock time, hours-into-shift, days-into-tour), the work area involved, and the body part injured. The HSE data included three levels of injury (fatality, serious injury, 3+ days lost time), whereas the company data also detailed other minor injuries. The data were analysed to identify temporal and occupational trends in injury occurrence. In carrying out the analyses, it was necessary to take into account that the numbers of personnel exposed varied across times and in different jobs. As no exposure rate data were available, to examine factors such as time-into-tour, day vs. night shifts, and work area, fatalities and serious injuries were analysed in relation to less serious injuries, the latter being taken as an indicator of exposure rates. Key findings from the HSE data (N=2602 incidents) are noted below. In the full report, implications of the findings for offshore work schedules are discussed Key findings Days-into-tour. For tour durations longer than two weeks, the ratios of fatalities and severe injuries to 3+ day injuries increased markedly, relative to durations of 1-2 weeks. This pattern was evident in each of the three work areas examined, although it was more marked in production/maintenance and construction/deck work than in drilling (Figure 6.1). lock hours. The distributions of severe injuries and 3+ day injuries differed significantly across the 24-hour cycle. Both serious and 3+ day injuries were more frequent in daytime hours, reflecting the higher number of personnel working day shifts as compared with night shifts. However, the distributions of injuries in the two categories differed significantly over clock hours (Figure 6.2). Day vs. night shifts. The distribution of injury severity differed significantly across day and night shifts, night shifts showing higher rates of fatalities/serious injuries relative to less serious injuries of 3+days (Figure 6.3). This effect was independent of days-into-tour. Hours-into-shift. The total number of injuries reported differed across successive one-hour time periods during 12-hour shifts. For both day and night shifts, injuries tended to be more frequent during the first half of the shift than the second half (Figure 6.4), but there was a reduction in frequency over the mid-shift break. For work extending beyond the normal shift duration of 12 hours, the proportion of fatal/severe injuries relative to less serious ones (19%) was significantly higher than during the 12- hour shift duration (13%). Injury severity in relation to incident type. The three levels of injury severity were found to be significantly differently distributed across incident type (classified into four categories, slips/trips/falls; handling goods; lifting/crane; and use of machinery). The proportion of incidents involving use of machinery that resulted in a fatality or a serious injury was disproportionately high relative to other incident types (Figure 6.5). 20